Dark Waters (Barkley Sound, 2)
Dark Waters (Barkley Sound, 2) book cover

Dark Waters (Barkley Sound, 2)

Paperback – Unabridged, August 6, 2013

by
Price
$12.95
Format
Paperback
Pages
320
Publisher
Montlake Romance
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1477805039
Dimensions
5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
Weight
13.6 ounces

Description

From Publishers Weekly In this action-packed contemporary, Anderson ( Dangerous Waters ) weaves together a tapestry of powerful suspense and sizzling romance. Davis Silver learns that someone is planning to set him up for embezzlement—the same fraudulent charge that sent him to prison years ago. Before he is killed, he warns his daughter, Anna, about a group of desperate ex-military criminals who will want the incriminating papers Davis mailed her. He advises her that the only person he trusts to keep her safe is Brent Carver, Davis’s far younger former cellmate. Anna falls for Brent—a brave, brooding artist—and as bodies pile up, he fights to keep her safe. Able plotting and sympathetic characters take the reader on a satisfying journey with steamy romance to enjoy along the way. “[A] must read…Fast-paced and exciting.” ―The Romance Reviews “This story sets a blistering pace, one that you will not want to miss a minute of.” ―Coffee Time Romance & More “ Dark Waters is as good or better than about three-quarters of the new fiction offerings out there.” ―John Sullivan, Winnipeg Free Press “The pacing in this book is superb. The tension really never lets up…I never felt there was a good ‘stopping point’ in this book, which is probably why I was reading all night.” ―Smart Bitches, Trashy Books "[A] must read ... fast-paced and exciting." —The Romance Reviews" Dark Waters is as good or better than about three-quarters of the new fiction offerings out there." —John Sullivan, Winnipeg Free Press "This story sets a blistering pace, one that you will not want to miss a minute of." —Coffee Time Romance & More"The pacing in this book is superb. The tension really never lets up … I never felt there was a good 'stopping point' in this book, which is probably why I was reading all night." —Smart Bitches, Trashy Books New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Toni Anderson is a science nerd, professional tourist, dog lover, gardener, and mom. A marine biologist with a Ph.D. from St. Andrews, she was a research scientist before becoming a full-time romance author. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Romanian, and Chinese. Toni lives in Canada. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • National Readers’ Choice Awards finalist in Romantic Suspense
  • Danger once again laps at the shores of Barkley Sound, the Graveyard of the Pacific…
  • Since her rocky childhood and its abrupt, brutal ending, schoolteacher Anna Silver hasn’t given her trust easily. But when her estranged father gets in over his head―again―and winds up dead, his last message to Anna is as clear as it is insistent: she’s in danger and Brent Carver, the man with whom he shared a prison cell for five years, is the only person she should turn to for help. With nowhere else to go and with her father’s killer on her trail, Anna flees to what she hopes is safety.
  • Tucked into the west coast of Vancouver Island, Brent Carver’s isolated home hasn’t seen many visitors. And his friend’s daughter is the last person he ever expected to grace his doorstep. She’s in trouble, and he can’t deny her protection…just as he can’t deny his attraction to the independent beauty. As their passion sparks into flame, the perfect storm brews off the coast of his island home, bringing with it a sadistic killer hunting Anna and the secrets she’s come close to uncovering.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(1.4K)
★★★★
25%
(1.2K)
★★★
15%
(713)
★★
7%
(333)
★
23%
(1.1K)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Plot moved at a steady clip but too much angst

This item was given to me for my review.

Dark Waters by Toni Anderson is a chase within a chase. Anna and Brent are thrown together by a dying phone call from Anna's father indicating that he was about to be killed because he had information that the bad guys want. He goes on to say that he has mailed the information to Anna, and she would know where. He wants her to find his old friend Brent and stay with him because he would keep her safe. The rest of the story is about Brent and Anna searching for the information while outwitting some very bad guys. The plot, while rather cliche, was not uninteresting, and parts of the story moved along at a suspenseful pace. For this, I gave the novel a tentative 3 star rating. However, Anderson has a bad habit of repeating herself throughout the book, and this fact added a certain amount of tedium to the novel. Additionally, there was entirely too much mental angst with both Brent and Anna for my liking. If your character is mentally analyzing her relationship in the middle of a life and death struggle, there is just way too much mental angst. Also, if she has said, for the sixth time, "Why am I reacting to him this way?", and she has not figured it out already, then she is not innocent or naive, she is just a bit slow. Those sorts of things, along with language (dialogue, dialogue, dialogue, PLEASE), grated. Dark Waters was a mixed bag. Interesting enough to finish or take from the library, but I was glad that I did not pay for this one. It is obvious that Toni Anderson CAN write, but I think she might want to do some tweaking. Keep the pace, lose the repetition and cliches.
18 people found this helpful
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Fairly good mystery with a strong dose of romance

I enjoyed the mystery side of this book, but occasionally found the increasing romance side of it a bit too cliched for my taste as the romance part was a bit on the hot and heavy type, with the main characters fighting off their overwhelming attraction for each other, while in the midst of danger.

Fairly interesting mystery side, rather typical romance slant.
This was listed as a "mystery" on the book list, as I generally do not read romance novels. but the puzzle kept me interested and other than a few eye-rolling moments at the somewhat overly descriptive romantic moments, I enjoyed it.

More for the romance novel fans, but probably tolerable to some mystery readers
11 people found this helpful
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Another winner!

Another winner by this talented writer. This is book 2 of 2. I've read all of her books. She offers a well crafted, clean read for those whose reviews always comment on language. Her characters have depth, sometimes secrets, sometimes angst - her males are not over the top and her females are smart and strong. There is always intrigue and mystery. I don't review by giving an overview of the entire book. I recommend that you also get Dangerous Waters and read it first - a 2 book, same location, yet separate stories. I purchase - don't have nor want a kindle - I like a book in my hand. You always get your money's worth with a purchase of a Toni Anderson book.
4 people found this helpful
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"The kiss a cross between Prince Charming reverence and Indiana Jones adventure."

This is the first book I've read by author Toni Anderson but it will not be my last. I notice that she has a few more novels already written so I do believe I'm going to have to get some of them.

The protagonists of this tale - Brent Carver and Anna Silver- tugged on my heartstrings. Both had terrible experiences to overcome in their pasts and both needed to learn to trust and love again. It was satisfying reading about them overcoming the obstacles in their backgrounds and current lives.

I also enjoyed reading about the Canadian locations mentioned in the story. I decided I wanted a house like Brent's - in the same lovely out-of-the-way place.

But this isn't only a romance. It's a well-written, engaging thriller/suspense/ mystery novel. It has twists, turns, detours, and very bad guys to keep you reading late into the night. There are no lagging spots, just adrenaline fuel all the way through.
3 people found this helpful
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Great little mystery/thriller romance...

So, we have ex-cons... ex-military... ex-husbands and ex-wives... yep... there is a whole lot of back story going on in this mystery/thriller/romance. We also have murder, conspiracy, a couple on the run from a sadistic killer/rapist and an unlikely blooming romance. And to really twist things up a bit... the ex-cons are the "good" guys and the ex-military are the "bad" guys! It's a world gone mad...
Anna ends up running to Brent for help after her father left her an urgent message on her phone right before he died. Brent was her father's cell mate when they were in prison. Brent is the only one Anna's father trusted to keep his daughter safe. Anna knew Brent was an ex-con but had no choice but to trust him. And, he already had a close connection to Anna that developed through the many letters that she wrote to her father while incarcerated. Brent respected his friend and would stop at nothing to keep his daughter safe. What neither of them expected was to fall for each other.
I have to say that I thought that this couple blended so well together. They both had a damaged past and through the sort of forced trust they had to have to survive being chased they were slowly able to break down their barriers and be open to healing and possibly love. I really liked the chemistry that they had together and Brent was kind of an awesome guy. They were good for each other.
This was a real page turner and kept me on the edge of my seat. And, I have to say nice things about a book that keeps me fully engaged and not wanting to put it down. This one had my attention from beginning to end.
I read this easily in one day. This author has a nice easy writing style. I will definitely look into reading some of her other books.
The only word of caution that I have is for those who may be sensitive to rape. Even though it is not described in graphic detail... it is there. I always like to mention that simply because some readers like to steer clear of this topic all together.
Overall, I really liked this book and would definitely recommend it to fellow mystery/thriller fans.
2 people found this helpful
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Dark Waters, Dark Hero

Toni Anderson absolutely knows how to blend suspense with romance. If you are adverse to some steamy scenes, then it might be best to try something else.

It is very important to read the Barkley Sound Series in order. Dangerous Waters features Holly and Finn who become secondary characters in Dark Waters. Brent Carver, Finn`s brother, is the ultimate tragic hero. Imprisoned for twenty years for killing his abusive father to protect his younger brother, Brent is still on parole and dealing with his own guilt. He continues to live in the small town where the murder occurred and where he is judged on a daily basis.

Brent is unable to continue to isolate himself from the world when the daughter of a former cell-mate arrives in danger. They are an unlikely couple, given the over ten year age difference and backgrounds, but they have an interesting connection through Holly`s father. Imprisoned in his teens, Brent learns about young adulthood through letters sent by Anna to her father in jail. Unlike Holly in the first book, Anna is damaged and fragile.

Some aspects of the plot are a little over the top, as is Brent`s claim that he learned about kissing through reading many books about the topic on the inside. Not sure exactly which prison has a library like that. Anna`s lucky key which turns up at an opportune time and the fact Anna and Brent are provided police protection to cross the border and then are left on their own to visit her mother in hospital prior to going in protective custody seemed a little bit off.

HOWEVER, this was definitely a gripping story and well worth the read. Just pretend you are watching an action movie where even bigger leaps of faith are required.

"I could cope with a little sullying," he muttered irritably. Ha! Brent is a dark hero, but worth redeeming
1 people found this helpful
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A Great Romp of a Novel

Barkley Sound, also known as `The Graveyard of the Pacific' is the wonderful setting for this race against time novel. Anna Silver's ex con father falls beneath the wheels of a train, having mailed her a whole load of trouble. He is trying to contact her when he dies and his advice is to get Brent Carver to help her. Anna's problem is that Carver is an ex con like her father and trusting him after all that has happened in her life is very difficult.

Anna has to give up on the safe and sensible life which she has built herself as a single schoolteacher with a nice home to brave the dark waters of Barkley Sound. Anna wants desperately to solve the mystery of her father's death but his legacy, both to her and his ex wife, her mother, makes them both question decisions which were made twenty years earlier and finding them wanting.

This is a great romp of a novel. The story line is pacey and the stakes are high, but the author's real skill is in the drawing of the various characters who populate this tale and the knowledge that peace, quiet and acquiescence is sometimes obtained at too heavy a price. I enjoyed this novel intensely but if I had a criticism, I would say that the author tries just a bit too hard to tie up all the loose ends at the end of the book - people conveniently die and many roads all conveniently lead to one destination. However, good for all that.
1 people found this helpful
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courageously scarred characters

The author takes us on deeply sentimental journey of gritty realities with two resolute and courageously scarred characters.

Right from the prologue you are thrown into a conspiracy of intrigue. When a father who's ex-wife and daughter doubted his innocence when he was convicted of crime many years ago and served 5 years hard time for it finds himself in trouble again he manages to send a message to his daughter to go to the only man he trust, Brent Carver his cell mate from prison, for protection.

I fell in love with Brent in Dangerous Waters. He spent the better part of his life in prison and just did not adapt well to the harsh realities of the real world and all the people that lived in it. He has isolated himself in his home and just wants to be left alone to do the one thing he loves, painting. His peaceful isolation is thrown into a tailspin when Anna Silver, the daughter of the only real friend he ever had shows up on his doorstep needing his help.

Anna's childhood was not only torn apart by her father's conviction but also by a mother who became distant and didn't pay attention to her and also missed the signs that another tragic thing had happened to her. Due to this Anna has chosen to live her life with white picket fences and teaching children. She is in no way prepared for the mess that her father unfortunately put her in the middle of.

As these two skittish people try and figure out who is trying to kill Anna and avoid them they find that they bring out the strong qualities of courage and tough uncompromising resolve in each other. The journey we take with these two not only on the harrowing investigation but also on two broken hearts healing is compelling.

I knew from the moment I met Brent that his story would be a powerful one and the bonus is his heroine was just as strong and courageous as he was even though neither of them saw themselves that way. There were some great twist and surprises in this book that kept you turning the pages until the very end.
1 people found this helpful
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Strong Mystery & Romance

Just when I thought I couldn’t stand another romance with a troubled heroine who can’t tolerate being touched by men and a tortured hero afraid to let anyone into his heart, Toni Anderson proved me wrong. While these devices have been done to death in romance novels, this writer manages to make them work in a compelling story with likeable characters.

When Anna Silver’s ex-con father mysteriously steps in front of a train after leaving her a cryptic voicemail, she goes to the one man she knows she can trust, his former prison cellmate, Brent Carver. Brent is a hermit and not exactly thrilled when Anna shows up on his doorstep, but he owes a debt of gratitude to her father, so he takes her in, and the two of them soon find themselves on the run from some very dangerous people who will stop at nothing to get the information Davis Silver hid before his death. There are some nice twists and turns throughout the story, but as a Minnesotan, I was amused at the route Anna and Brent take to Canada from Minneapolis, “crossing five states” and touring through the Dakotas when they could have headed straight north and walked across an unmanned border crossing right here in Minnesota. That is my biggest complaint in an otherwise compelling tale about two damaged people on the run who find salvation in one another while they solve the mystery and outwit the bad guys.

I also enjoyed the cameo appearances from Brent’s younger brother Finn and his fiancée, Holly Rudd, from the first book in the series, Dangerous Waters. Not many romantic suspense authors create stories with both a strong romance and suspense angle, but Toni Anderson pulls it off quite well. I look forward to reading her other novels.
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Good characters and lots of twists and turns

I’ve never read any books by this author, but now I’m hooked. The characters are likeable, believable, and well-written and the plot is very exciting with a lot of twists and turns (without being over-done). The ending was highly satisfying and wraps up all the little details. I’ll definitely be looking for more books by this author.

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